No shirts, T-shirts for campaigning in WB, says EC

Use of shirts or T-shirts with party symbols and slogans for campaigning during the coming Lok Sabha polls will not be allowed in West Bengal.

"Party symbol or slogans can only be used on caps or scarfs for campaign purposes. Other apparel including shirts or T-shirts will not be allowed by the EC," the state's Chief Electoral Officer Debashis Sen said after an all-party meeting at his office in Kolkata on Wednesday.

The EC has allowed graffiti on private houses and establishments subject to permission by owners, but emphasised that easily removable materials should be used to so that walls can be cleaned up by political parties once the election is over. Graffiti on walls of government offices and establishments have, however, been banned.

There were provisions for punishment if walls were used forcibly or not cleaned up, Sen said. He said that violation of the model code of conduct would be a punishable offence. "All political parties have assured the EC to comply with the model code strictly in accordance with the guidelines for a free and fair poll," he said.

The CEO said that all political parties had been given CDs of the final voter list and books containing details of delimited constituencies in the state.